Things will get really interesting in local football matchups next week, but this week it's all about postseason cross country and softball with the state tournament on deck. We've also reached the stretch run for the boys soccer and volleyball seasons, and several league titles will be wrapped up this weekend.

Here's a look at some exciting prep sporting events coming up in the next several days.

Boys soccer

Fort Collins at Monarch, Thursday, 4 p.m.

The Monarch Coyotes didn't allow a goal through their first six games this season. In their season finale, the Coyotes will host the current Front Range League leaders. Looking to move up from their current 24th-place RPI standing, a good showing here could be a difference-maker for Monarch. With wide-reaching implications, a Monarch win could also open the door for Boulder or Broomfield to steal the league championship from Fort Collins.

Cross country

Class 5A Region 3 meet, Thursday, noon

Cross country regional meets will be taking place all over the state and as the state meet fields are being decided, this particular regional at Viele Lake in Boulder has more big-time potential than most. With Boulder, Fairview, Legacy, Monarch included in the field, local teams have the potential to win both team and individual titles in both the boys and girls races.

Football

Fairview at Mullen, Friday, 7 p.m.

This contest pits 5A's No. 9-ranked Fairview against No. 10 Mullen. Mariano Kemp (787 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns) has been fantastic for the Knights, who also feature one of the state's top passing attacks with quarterback Aidan Atkinson leading the way with 1,890 yards and 16 touchdowns through seven games.

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Erie at Roosevelt, Friday, 7 p.m.

Another top-10 matchup, this one in 3A, will feature No. 3 Erie and No. 5 Roosevelt. Still undefeated, the Erie Tigers will look to remain that way with another tough opponent on Friday. Momentum has played a major role in the Tigers success in 2017, and they'll need to pick this one up to keep rolling into an even bigger game against No. 1 Mead next week. If Mead and Erie are both still undefeated when they clash next week, that game should decide the Tri-Valley League title.

Softball

State tournament, Friday-Saturday, TBA

There's always a lot to see during the 3A, 4A and 5A state tournaments at Aurora Sports Park. This fall, the BoCoPreps.com area will be represented in 5A by the Legacy Lightning, which enters the tournament as the No. 3 seed. In 4A, Erie will enter as the No. 4 seed, Frederick the No. 7 seed and Silver Creek the No. 8 seed.

Volleyball

Windsor at Holy Family, Thursday, 6:30 p.m.

This match is likely for all the marbles in the Tri-Valley League, with Holy Family (18-2, 12-0 Tri-Valley) leading the conference standings and Windsor (12-5, 11-1 Tri-Valley) following in second place. It is also a contest between two of 4A top 10 teams, with Holy Family currently at No. 3 and Windsor coming in at No. 9.

Longmont at Silver Creek, Thursday, 6:30 p.m.

A Northern League contest and a local rivalry, these teams are always fun to watch when they get together. Longmont, ranked No. 7 in 4A, is the only team to have beaten conference leader Niwot and features Rachel Kusbel, who leads 4A with 277 kills. Silver Creek has Rylee Anderson, who is third in 4A with 248 kills.

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